Lifting the FIFA World Cup is the pinnacle of any footballer’s career—the dream that fuels countless hours on pitches, playgrounds and training grounds around the world.
Yet some of the greatest players the sport has ever seen never got to hold the trophy aloft. Some were born into nations that simply weren’t competitive enough, others came agonisingly close only to fall short and a few missed out through injury, omission or sheer misfortune.
Here’s a look at the 50 greatest footballers who never won the World Cup.
